Waistband structure for garments



July 10, M EPPY WAISTBAND STRUCTURE FOR GARMENTS Filed Dec. 9, 1958 1N VEN TOR.

MEl//N E PP Y finie 3,042,932 WAlSTBAND STRUCTURE FOR GARMENTS Marvin Eppy, 28 Si. Marks Plane, New York, N Il?. Filed Dec. 9, 1958, Ser. No. '779,153 7 Elanna. (Ci. 2--236) The present invention is directed to garments, more particularly to garments which have waistbands, such as trousers, slacks, skirts and the like. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved structure of the waistlband of such garments.

In the prior art, various structures of waistbands have been known lbut most of them have been for the purpose of offering support and confinement at lthe abdominal region. For instance, in a prior art structurev the waistband of the garment was made considerably wider than the normal waist-band and the series of vertical pockets were provided into which steel strips were inserted. Also, the waistband was provided with lacing in order to enable `it to be tightened -to firmly support the abdomen. This had a number `of disadvantages in that it so confined the wearer that it was difficult for the wearer to bend without lbeing subjected to pressure and pain from the ends of the steel members. Also, the structure was eX- pensive and difficulties were encountered in the washing or other treatment of the garment.

In still another structure for the same purpose there was provided a waistband containing a metal chain in sinuous form which was permanently secured in the waistband. This in part overcome the disadvantages of the aforesaid prior structure in that some flexibility was obtained but it greatly stiifened the entire waistband and the other disadvantages of a stiffened Vwide waistband were inherent therein.

The present invention is directed to a structure of a waistband for a different purpose, namely to be incorporated in a garment of relatively thin land ilexible material in order to sufficiently stiffen the front of thewaistband so as to prevent the waistband from becoming creased in the normal wear thereof.

Therefore, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel structure of waistband particularly lfor garments made of light weight fabrics which not only prevents creasing thereof Iwhile being worn but at the same time allows free movement of the body.

It is also arr-ong the objects of the present invention to provide a simple structure which is inexpensive and in which stiffening elements are readily removable in order to facilitate washing or cleaning of the garment.

It is further among the objects of the invention to provide as a stitfening member a thin strip of semi-flexible material, preferably `of non-metallic materials, which provides a greater stiffness in the area of the centerline of the garment than the remaining areas of the waistband.

ln practicing the present invention there is provided the usual waistband which may be of a number of layers of fabric sewn together. In accordance with the invention there is lformed in the waistband and preferably to the back thereof a pair of horizontal pockets which extend laterally on each side of the front centerline thereof towards the sides of the garment. The pockets terminate short of the hip portion thereof. Into these pockets there are placed relatively `thin but distortable-strips of a synthetic resinous material and usually means are provided for retaining said strips against accidental displacement from the pockets.

in the preferred form of the invention each of the i strips is folded longitudinally and placed in the pocket with the fold at the front of the garment. 'Ihere is pro vided an opening in each pocket for the insertion of the strip which substantially fills the pocket so ythat prac- SZSZ Patented July 10, 1962 "lee tically no relative movement thereof with respect to the pocket is possible.

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part here of and in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary view of the interior por tion of a waistband, some parts being broken away for clearance;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of IFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modied form of a pocket which is to be incorporated in a waistband;

FlG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal crosssectional View taken along Aline '4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, some parts being broken away, of a `still further modified form of pocket;

FIG. 6 is lan end View thereof taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 5; v

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred -forrn of stiifening strip which is incorporated in the structure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the waistband, the stiifeners and the pockets, and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stiifener with a rounded end.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment 1 is provided with a waistband 2, the upper edge 3 of rwhich is folded over as shown at 4 and stitched at 5 to form a pocket 6. A vertical slit 7 is provided at the front centerline 8 of the waistband and garment and a strip 9 of plastic material is inserted therein. As shown at lil thereof the front end is bent and eased into the front of the pocket.

In FIG. 7 is shown the preferred form of strip 9 in kwhich -it is folded at 1l'. thereby providing legs 12 and 13 which are folded into contact with each other and inserted into the pocket with fold lll being adjacent to the front centerline of the waistband. Various materi-als may be used for the strip, such vas relatively thin sheets of vinyl resin or any other suitable plastic material. It is necessary that the strip be sufficiently thin so that it is readily bendable by even slight movements of the body of the wearer. However, it should be sufficiently stiff so that when the wearer `is in erect position the strip holds the waistband smooth and free from creases. 'Ihe fold 11 at the front of the garment gives a slightly added stiffness at a point ywhere it is highly desirable in order to avoid distortion of the shape of the garment.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pocket 14 is closed at the outer end 15 thereof and has an opening 16 at the front. A flap 17 having a snap fastener 18 is formed integral with the pocket and is adapted to be closed over pocket i4 in the direction shown by the line 19 and held in place by cooperating fastener Ztl. Strip 9 is inserted into the pocket prior to the closing and the pocket, itself, is stitched along its edges to thel inside of the waistband.

Still another form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the pocket consists of a horizontal strip of fabric 21 which is folded at 22 so that portion 23 thereof forms a pocket 24 in which strip 9 Iis inserted. The lower end Z5 is provided with snap fasteners 26' and is adapted lto be folded over in the direction of arrow 27 Vto cooperate with fastener 2S and close the pocket.

While the invention has been described, setting forth several specific embodiments thereof, such forms are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit it as many changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. IFor instance, in waistbands which are not open at the front, a single pocket may be provided in which either one or more stiifenng strips may be inserted. The pockets may be formed in the central portion of the waist-band or on the inner vface thereof. The openingsV for the insertion and removal of the strip may be formed in other places than those ill'nstrated in the drawing and the form of the pocket may Vbe diiferent from those forms illustrated and described.

Various means for retaining the strip against accidental displacement may be provided other than those shown;

These and other changes may be made within lthe spirit of the invention which is to be broadly construed and not to be limited except by the character ofthe claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a waistband for body garments having a front centerline and a pair of horizontal pockets extending on each side of saidl centerline toward but not beyond the sides of said garment, ther'improvement which comprises strips of relatively stiif, distortable plastic in said pockets, Veach of said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially lling, each` of said pocketssaid fold being at, the front of said garment, and an opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip.

2. In a -waistband for body garments having a front centerline and a pair of horizontal pockets extending on each side of said centerline toward Vbut not beyond the sides of said garment, the improvement which comprises Y strips of relatively stiff, distortable plastic in said pockets,

each of said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially iilling each of said pockets, said -fold being at the front of said garment, and an opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip, the fold in each strip being adjacent to the centerline of said garment.

3. In a waistband for body garments having a -front centerline and a pair of horizontal pockets'extending on each side of said centerline toward but not beyond the sides of said garment, the improvement which comprises strips of relatively'stiff, distortable plastic in said pockets, each of said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially filling each of said pockets, said fold being at4 the front of said garment, and an-opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip adjacent to said centerline.

4. lIn a waistband for body garments having a front centerline and a -pairof horizontal pockets extending on each side of saidy centerline ktoward but'not beyond the sides of'said garment, the improvement which comprises Vstrips. of relatively stiff, distortable plastic in said pockets,

each ofv said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially till-ing each o-fsaid pockets, said fold being at the front of said garment, an opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip, `and a flap on said pocket `with fastening means for closing said opening.

5. In a waistband for body garments having a front centerline and a pair of horizontal pockets extending on each side of said centerlinetoward but not beyond the sides of said garment, the improvement which comprises strips of relatively stii, distortable plastic in said pockets, each of said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially iilling each of said pockets, said fold being at the front of said garment, an opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip, and a ilap on said pocket with fastening means for closing said opening, said ap being at one end of Ysaid pocket.

6. In a waistband for body garments having a front centerline and a pair of horizontal pockets extending on each side of Vsaid centerline toward but not beyondV the sides of said garment, the improvement which comprises strips of relatively stiff, distortable plastic in said pockets,

Y each of said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially lling each of said pockets, said foldbeing at the front of said garment, an opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip, and a iiap on said pocket with fastening Imeans for closing said opening, said ap being along the lower edge of said pocket.

7. In a waistband -for body `garments having a front centerline and a pair ofl horizontal pockets extending on each side of said centerline toward but not beyond the sides of said garment, the improvement which comprises strips of relatively stiff, distortable plastic in said pockets, each of said strips being folded longitudinally and substantially filling each of said pockets, said fold being at the front of said garment, and an opening in each pocket for the insertion of said strip, the edges of said strip being rounded.

References Cited in the tile of this patent 

